Five things for pharma marketers to know: Monday, March 28, 2016

1. Some industry experts believe that the billions of dollars spent each year on DTC advertising is wasted, especially when compared to the return on investment on social media and digital efforts. Still, despite efforts in Washington to curb or limit DTC, many industry insiders doubt such a ban will go into effect. (Adweek)

2. Alder BioPharmaceuticals said its experimental migraine treatment met the main goal in a Phase II study. The therapy is an injection; patients who suffer from migraines would receive four injections a year. (Reuters)

3. Several executives at Verily Life Sciences, Google's medical venture, have quit, sources told Stat. Little is known about the initiatives upon which the company is working. (Stat)

4. Bayer and Regeneron said they will jointly develop a combination therapy of two ophthalmology drugs that treat eye diseases. They already market Eylea, which treats several different eye diseases. (PharmaPhorum)

5. ICYMI: Aprecia Pharmaceuticals said that Spritam, the first 3D-printed prescription epilepsy drug, is now available in the U.S. The pill disintegrates in the patient's mouth. (Forbes)